A two-pole AC generator produces how many cycles of AC voltage each time the armature makes one revolution?

A two-pole AC generator produces how many cycles of AC voltage each time the armature makes one revolution?

• A. Two
• B. One
• C. Zero
• D. Three

Answer: (B)

With AC generation, the number of electrical cycles produced per mechanical revolution equals the number of pole pairs. A two-pole machine has one pole pair. As the armature makes one full rotation, the polarity seen by the stator winds goes from north to south and back to north, completing one full electrical cycle. So each revolution yields one cycle of AC voltage. If there were more poles, you’d get more cycles per revolution (for example, four poles give two cycles per revolution).

With AC generation, the number of electrical cycles produced per mechanical revolution equals the number of pole pairs. A two-pole machine has one pole pair. As the armature makes one full rotation, the polarity seen by the stator winds goes from north to south and back to north, completing one full electrical cycle. So each revolution yields one cycle of AC voltage. If there were more poles, you’d get more cycles per revolution (for example, four poles give two cycles per revolution).